God is a divine Family: Father and Son; believers called to become family members
Armstrongism presents a unique understanding of God's nature: God is a family rather than an individual. The divine family currently consists of the Father and Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit as God's shared power. However, the plan of salvation centers on believers being called to become members of the God Family through resurrection, thus expanding the family beyond the current two Beings.
This 'God Family' theology distinguishes Armstrongism from both traditional Trinitarian Christianity and Unitarian monotheism. It emphasizes that humans are created in God's image to eventually become divine family members, sharing God's nature, immortality, and power. This framework gives unique meaning to the Incarnation and to salvation: humans are called not merely to forgiveness but to godhood.
Key Distinctions
- Theism type:
- binitarianism — God is a Family of two divine beings (Father and Son); Spirit is God's power
- Primary divine attribute:
- love and righteous character; believers called to enter the God Family
Scripture References
Sources
- Herbert W. Armstrong, Mystery of the Ages
- United Church of God doctrinal papers